Both supermarkets are accused of creating further stigma and discrimination over the issue of mental health

Tesco has become the second retailer to apologise for selling a Halloween costume referring to mental health issues.

The adult bright orange costume called "Psycho Ward" had the word "Committed" printed on the back.

The website description of the costume says: "Dress up as the most thrilling psycho killer character of all time in this Psycho Ward costume, consisting of a bright orange, long-sleeved boiler suit with zip fastener to front, 'Psycho Ward' printed on the chest.

"The same words (are) printed on the back in larger letters with a prominent 'Committed' stamp just below."

A Tesco spokeswoman said: "We're really sorry for any offence this has caused and we are removing this product from sale."

The apology comes just hours after rival supermarket Asda has also forced to apologise after it advertised a fancy dress outfit featuring someone covered in blood and brandishing a machete as a "mental patient fancy dress costume".

The Halloween costume, which is designed to look like a blood-splattered straitjacket with ragged edges, was on sale for £20 through the supermarket's clothing arm George.

Asda apologised for the incident in a series of tweets and said it would be making a donation to mental health charity Mind.

The company said: "We're deeply sorry one of our fancy dress costumes has upset people. This was an unacceptable error - the product was withdrawn immediately.

"We'd like to offer our sincere apologies for the offence it's caused and will be making a sizeable donation to MindCharity.

"We removed the product from our website this afternoon but unfortunately the page may remain visible for a few more hours."

Many took to Twitter to express their disgust at the description, including former footballer Stan Collymore, who has fought a well-documented battle with depression.

Former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who has also suffered from depression, wrote on Twitter: "Look what Asda's selling... what possesses these people?"

Sue Baker, campaigner for mental health charity Mind, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Nine out of 10 people using mental health services in patient care report stigma and discrimination from a range of sources.

"Stigma and discrimination is unfortunately still really damaging in England today and this kind of myth of the dangerousness posed by people, that you should be scared of anyone who has used mental health services, is really damaging.